SlurryForSoil’s complex blend uses advanced microbial technology to improve nutrient access and uptake. The microbes not only capture the nutrients in slurry, but when these microbes are in soils, they can transport nutrients from the soil to the plant, supporting both plant and soil health.
The plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi in SlurryForSoil have been scientifically proven to increase nutrient and micronutrient content of plants, including notably in colder conditions. They live within plant roots and have a symbiotic relationship with plants. Specifically, they manage the uptake of nitrogen, zinc, iron, copper, silicon, sulphur, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and many more. Increasing levels of these nutrients and their dispersal throughout the plant boosts photosynthesis and growth.
Microbes access their food by excreting substances, known as metabolites, that break down organic and non-organic material into simpler compounds they can use in their own life-processes – growth and reproduction, for example.
Many of these metabolites contain organic acids, which solubilise a range of nutrients. Some also contain enzymes and siderophores that have different modes of action and are specific in the nutrients they unlock. Siderophores are low-molecular-weight iron chelators produced by bacteria that bind iron with an extremely high affinity and are capable of removing iron from host proteins, for transport into the bacterial cell.
The fungi and bacteria in SlurryForSoil have been specifically chosen because they are adept at breaking down the organic matter found in slurry and are known to work in partnership with plants to deliver the nutrients and water as and when plants need them.
While plants are also capable of producing similar substances, they are much less efficient at unlocking nutrients, and this is the reason why they work closely with soil microbes. This relationship means that plants have better access to nutrients and water when they need them, resulting in higher grass quality and yields.
Improving plant health helps to increase tolerance to drought, heat, frost, and flood stress, which means that in difficult years, grass yields and quality is less affected.
The relationship between microbes, nutrients, and soil health is also important to consider. Science shows that fungi and bacteria have important roles in soil aggregation and defending plants against disease and pests.
For more information about the properties of the different microbes in SlurryForSoil, find our earlier blog post here, and check our ‘news’ section or our social media in the coming weeks for more.